Vernal Pool Tours at Warm Springs Unit on Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Are you interested in seeing the flower blooms around some of the last intact vernal pools in the East Bay? You will learn about the unique features of vernal pool grasslands, and hopefully observe the pools in what will likely be a good rain year! Participants will see endangered Contra Costa goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens), Downingia pulchella, several Plagiobothrys, and other native vernal pool and upland species.

Tours will occur at the Warm Springs Unit of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in south Fremont. These walking tours are typically in April and will be conducted on a Saturday and a weekday with two tours each. The tour will last 1.5-2 hours. Total walking distance will not exceed one mile, but terrain is uneven. Participants also must climb up and down a short step ladder to cross over fencing. Please wear sturdy shoes and dress according to the weather. Heavy rain will cancel.

To optimize the botanical beauty on our tours, we will finalize the tour dates three weeks before the peak bloom. We will notify people on our email list, website, and social media. Peak blooms are dependent on the amount of rain we receive. To sign up for the email list, contact Ivette Loredo at ivette_loredo@fws.gov.

Once dates and times are released, you will need to register to reserve a spot (sign up information will be sent with dates). Once registered, directions to Warm Springs will be sent. Each tour is limited to 20 people due to the sensitivity of the vernal pool ecosystem.